Prayer wheel readied for Dalai Lama's arrival

by Alyson OŁten, Idaho's NewsChannel 7, September 7, 2005

KETCHUM, Idaho (USA) -- The Dalai Lama will make a spiritual stop in the Sun Valley area this week. In preparation for his visit some precious cargo recently arrived from Tibetan monks in Asia.

Tibetan monk Tenzin Dhonden designed the prayer wheel. He says it is all about harmony, loving kindness and peace.

NewsChannel 7 got a sneak peak of this hand-crafted commemoration of the Dalai Lama?s visit to Idaho.

This certainly isn't where you'd expect to find a Tibetan treasure, but inside an industrial studio, the finishing touches are being put on a one of a kind prayer wheel.

For Larry Meyers this is a project like no other.

"The energy around it is just really inspiring to me," said Meyers.

He is creating a pedestal of sorts, a metal mechanism on top of which will sit a Tibetan prayer wheel. Inside the 800 pound container are more than one-million handwritten scrolls - a mantra written over and over again by Tibetan monks.

"Prayer wheel is all about harmony, as I said, loving kindness and peace," said Tenzin Dhonden, Tibetan monk.

The prayer wheel was designed by Tenzin Dhonden - the Dalai Lama?s emissary of peace. It was crafted by Tibetan artisans in India and shipped to the Wood River Valley in anticipation of the Dalai Lama?s visit.

Tenzin says each brightly colored character has special spiritual meaning.

"This is the unique animal called the (zipah). It symbolize the wealth, luck, wealth and prosperity in one's life."

"This is the wheel, the wheel of doctrine, symbolize Buddhist teachings."

"Oh this is the conch, it symbolize religious morality," said Tenzin.

The wheel, with all its symbols and prayers, will eventually rotate on its axis. As it does, it is designed to bring peace and happiness to the world.

"I?ve already felt that, there's been some really great blessings that have come my way, so, must be true," said Meyers.

Once the wheel is complete later this week it will moved to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden for permanent installation. It will go in what is now a construction zone, but will then be the infinite garden of compassion.

The Dalai Lama will bless the prayer wheel in a private service next Tuesday.

If you're one of the 10,000 people attending this weekend's events, we've put a special link on this page with information on what time events start, where you can park, and what you can and cannot bring into the venues.

A reminder though, tickets to the September 11th address are sold out.